Welcome to the world of toddlerhood. Today started out well, Mom’s Group and lunch with my dear college friend Joey, where Charlie flirted like mad and got to practice some nose-scrunching (something she lately deems as cute–and she’s right) and then it was home for a pretty decent nap.

When Daddy arrived home at 6, however, and attempted to simply put her shoes on so they could take a walk to Walgreens, Charlie threw the biggest screaming fit I think I’ve ever seen. Now, she’s had some major tantrums over her young life, but this one took the cake. She was so mad she turned bright red and was stomping her feet up and down on the tile floor. I couldn’t help but laugh when she wasn’t looking at me, I mean, it WAS pretty funny, but then when she caught me laughing she promptly stomped over and pushed me with all her might.

We let her work it out, and she eventually calmed down and let Vann hold her and comfort her. But then she proceeded to eat nothing for dinner except a solitary piece of cheese. She is refusing to sit in her booster (again)…just wants to run around on the back deck while we are trying to eat “as a family”.

This brings Vann and I to our current dilemma: do we force her to sit in the booster and listen to her scream as we try to enjoy our meal, or do we let her go to bed hungry, by her choice?

I realize that this doesn’t paint my sweet little girl in a very good light. She really is very funny, and increasingly verbal and will repeat a lot of things she hears (gotta watch that)…and is starting to remember her little pals names and gives many kisses. I almost wonder if she’s throwing these tantrums when Vann walks in the door to either punish him or get attention from him, because she doesn’t do it during the day when it’s just me.

All of this to say…I am attempting to find moments of laughter in the midst of the chaos…and maybe two weeks with her Nana (because you know she’s going to stay with her Nana and JJ for two weeks in August–hallelujer) will whip her into shape. We are using it as “making room for baby”/”hooray we can go to a movie” time, but for Charlie, hopefully the change of scenery/authority will be a major positive influence on her. Of course, “they” do say that kids always act better with others than they do with you.

This parenting thing, man, it is not easy. If I could drink right now, I have a feeling we’d be going through the red wine like it was water. Something to look forward to…